Dozens of seniors residing at the Maple View Terrace (MVT) retirement home in London are scrambling to find new living arrangements following unexpected flooding caused by a burst sprinkler pipe. The incident, which took place early Sunday evening on the penthouse floor of the six-storey building, resulted in significant water damage to the entire facility, prompting firefighters to evacuate at least 74 residents.
Currently, 55 residents are temporarily staying at the Best Western Plus Stoneridge Inn located south of London, after their home was rendered uninhabitable. The aftermath of the flooding has left family members and retirement home staff working overtime to find appropriate and sustainable accommodation for the displaced seniors.
Scott Vecile, chief financial officer for Oxford Living, which operates MVT, expressed the severity of the situation, noting, "They're still assessing the damage. The early estimate we've been provided is three to six months to repair the building before we can reopen, but it's not a firm timeline yet." Communication with families has been prioritized as staff look for alternatives for the affected residents, many of whom have pressing health care needs.
The logistics of relocating so many seniors are challenging. Heather Noddle’s father, James McGilvray, aged 94, is one of those moved to the hotel. Facing dementia, he has struggled with anxiety induced by the sudden change. Noddle commented on her father's distress, stating, "He was so hyper and wound up because he didn't know where he was and kept thinking about the water [from the flood]. It's traumatized him for sure, but thank goodness he's got the familiar faces [of staff and other residents]." McGilvray's name has been moved up the waitlist for long-term care facilities, but the potential relocation to Chatham, Kitchener, or Brantford poses accessibility challenges for Noddle, who currently visits him every other day.
Costs associated with private retirement homes can be significant, with options at MVT ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 monthly based on care needs. This places added pressure on families faced with the task of finding alternative housing for their loved ones. Vecile noted the complexity of the situation, saying, "It's all up in the air; we don't know how long they can actually stay at the hotel. It's serious trying to find places for this many individuals.”
Meanwhile, residents' daily lives have been disrupted, leading to sleep loss and emotional distress. Laverna O'Brien, aged 84, shared her experience, saying, "The flood was everywhere, all over the floors and walls, and we still can't go back. I am stressed right out. I can't sleep; I take sleeping pills. I don't know how long I'll stay here, but I am so tired." Despite this upheaval, hotel and retirement home staff have been working diligently to manage care and comfort for the residents.
Chris McDonald, 69, who is also residing at the hotel, expressed frustration about the disruption: "It's very inconvenient and causing a lot of disruption, so it interferes with your life." Older residents, such as 90-year-old Shirley Merritt, conveyed uncertainty about the future: “It's all up in the air what the next will bring and where we're going to stay.
MVT staff member Ashley Bernardo shared updates on the relocation process, stating, "So far about a third of displaced residents have found another home. MVT is collaborating with Ontario Health at Home and the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority to facilitate this process." The emotional toll of the flooding and subsequent evacuation has driven home the disruption experienced by both the residents and their families, who are grappling with uncertainty and anxiety even as the search for sustainable solutions continues.